Painting Brake Calipers

**smoothbnzf4n4tc** · 10-17-2007

Okay so after checking out a very nice looking, heavily modified Mars Red slk55 on another forum, I've decided that painting my car's calipers red would be an awesome mod. However, I was wondering if there are any negatives to doing such a thing. Also are there specific paints that should be used and if so where can I find them? Will my local body shop be able to do the job?

I also want to keep the AMG lettering on the brakes themselves. I was thinking that I could either ask my local body shop if they can re paint the lettering or something?

Suggestions would be awesome.

Thanks in advance.

DansSlk · 10-17-2007

No real negatives to doing it, you will need to use a paint that can withstand the heat and is resistant to impact but apart from that its easy.

Any good bodyshop should be able to do it but if its done properly the calipers will be removed and stripped then all the non painted surfaces will be covered before the old paint is removed and the new applied so you will need a shop who can perform service work and understands the serivce requirements when working on the SLK's brakes

As for the lettering they could make a stencil or try and protect the logo already applied, it would be next to impossible to replicate the logo to the same standards without a guide.

**reallife** · 10-18-2007

Don't do it. Buy a Porsche next time.....

**alroumi** · 10-18-2007

I wouldnt do it, the AMG lettering is hard to acquire. It's easier on Porsche's and I've done that on my Cayenne S by painting the calipers from Silver to Speed yellow.

GregoryGR · 10-18-2007

Check these sites:

http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/caliperpaint.html
http://personal.inet.fi/surf/porsche...ake/index.html
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/g2/caliper_paint.jsp

The first & third are two products - there are a lot of them - and the second is a HowTo guide.

Trust the above are helpful to you.

**-1-** · 10-18-2007

Very few SLK owners paint their calipers. Why? I prefer the subtle, classy look of the SLK 55 silver calipers with the ///AMG logo. Dan's right, trying to preserve or replicate the logo will be a challenge. Nothing wrong with painting the calipers, just seems fitting on other cars.

Baron7700 · 10-18-2007

I was thinking about painting mine red.

Anyway, there are a ton of stencils out there, this pick the one you like the best and go ahead.

**Ynot** · 10-18-2007

I wouldn't DIY with caliper paint, looks cheap, haven't seen any products that's worth buying, take it to a body shop, they will do it right, you reside in Cali, so there should be plenty of places that does it. Try to leave the AMG logo, painting the whole caliper red w/o the logo looks cheap too. I've seen some AMG logo stickers on ebay, it's cheap, buy it, see if it matches the logo on the calipers, if so, stick it on and paint away. IMHO, only dark cars looks good with red caliper's, especially black.

**nevets** · 10-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ynot

I wouldn't DIY with caliper paint, looks cheap, haven't seen any products that's worth buying, take it to a body shop, they will do it right, you reside in Cali, so there should be plenty of places that does it. Try to leave the AMG logo, painting the whole caliper red w/o the logo looks cheap too. I've seen some AMG logo stickers on ebay, it's cheap, buy it, see if it matches the logo on the calipers, if so, stick it on and paint away. IMHO, only dark cars looks good with red caliper's, especially black.

I agree....I have Iridium Silver and think it would look silly with glaring red calipers.

bejak · 10-18-2007

I have a Iridium Silver SLK and I have painted the calipers red.

The original grey calipers was fine about a year. Then they changed to matt grey dull finish. Looked very old.

**Ynot** · 10-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejak

I have a Iridium Silver SLK and I have painted the calipers red.

The original grey calipers was fine about a year. Then they changed to matt grey dull finish. Looked very old.

Pics?? I don't remember you having red calipers.

Wallance · 10-18-2007

i just painted my calipers in red and installed the piecha exhaust earlier... i just haven't have time to post up new pics.. will update and share some new pics soon!

**alroumi** · 10-18-2007

Wallance congradulations on your new Peicha exhausts, awaiting pictures asap.

**smoothbnzf4n4tc** · 10-18-2007

Well guys, the reason I want to paint them red is because I'm going to get black rims. SO I though it would be cool with a red car to have black wheels and then red brakes and black AMG lettering on the brakes themselves. Does anyone know where I can find the AMG lettering, like a stencil or something...

mtiede · 10-18-2007

I thought red calipers would look good with my red SLK. Don't think I would like red calipers with other body colors nearly as much. Maybe black with black car, etc. ?

DansSlk · 10-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothbnzf4n4tc

Well guys, the reason I want to paint them red is because I'm going to get black rims. SO I though it would be cool with a red car to have black wheels and then red brakes and black AMG lettering on the brakes themselves. Does anyone know where I can find the AMG lettering, like a stencil or something...

That would make for a good contrast.

As for the stencil the shop should be able to make one for you from the contrast on the calipers stock paint.

Literally trace it and use that to make a stencil.

st2288 · 04-18-2008

I just painted my calipers in silver. It was rusty and old looking.. Make sure you used the epoxy paint. Regular caliper paint will chip away. I painted over the Mercedes logo, but buying a brake decal/sticker to paste it back on.. will post some pic later when I am done

**Ynot** · 04-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by st2288

I just painted my calipers in silver. It was rusty and old looking.. Make sure you used the epoxy paint. Regular caliper paint will chip away. I painted over the Mercedes logo, but buying a brake decal/sticker to paste it back on.. will post some pic later when I am done

Nice, looking forward to the pics.

st2288 · 04-24-2008

AS promised.
I used G3 caliper paint. They are actually epoxy paint, a lot more durable than the common one you get from local auto store.
I bought the sticker from Ebay. Look almost like OEM.

**alroumi** · 04-24-2008

st2288,

I wouldnt tell if you had it painted as its done very nicely and of high quality.

10-17-2007	#1 (permalink)
smoothbnzf4n4tc Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Vehicle: 2009 Mars Red SLK55 Posts: 170 Country: Thanks: 12 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Painting Brake Calipers Okay so after checking out a very nice looking, heavily modified Mars Red slk55 on another forum, I've decided that painting my car's calipers red would be an awesome mod. However, I was wondering if there are any negatives to doing such a thing. Also are there specific paints that should be used and if so where can I find them? Will my local body shop be able to do the job? I also want to keep the AMG lettering on the brakes themselves. I was thinking that I could either ask my local body shop if they can re paint the lettering or something? Suggestions would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

10-17-2007	#2 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,752 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	No real negatives to doing it, you will need to use a paint that can withstand the heat and is resistant to impact but apart from that its easy. Any good bodyshop should be able to do it but if its done properly the calipers will be removed and stripped then all the non painted surfaces will be covered before the old paint is removed and the new applied so you will need a shop who can perform service work and understands the serivce requirements when working on the SLK's brakes As for the lettering they could make a stencil or try and protect the logo already applied, it would be next to impossible to replicate the logo to the same standards without a guide. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

10-18-2007	#4 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	I wouldnt do it, the AMG lettering is hard to acquire. It's easier on Porsche's and I've done that on my Cayenne S by painting the calipers from Silver to Speed yellow. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

10-18-2007	#6 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,224 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	Very few SLK owners paint their calipers. Why? I prefer the subtle, classy look of the SLK 55 silver calipers with the ///AMG logo. Dan's right, trying to preserve or replicate the logo will be a challenge. Nothing wrong with painting the calipers, just seems fitting on other cars. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

10-18-2007	#8 (permalink)
Ynot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 06' MBZ SLK Posts: 2,795 Country: Thanks: 135 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	I wouldn't DIY with caliper paint, looks cheap, haven't seen any products that's worth buying, take it to a body shop, they will do it right, you reside in Cali, so there should be plenty of places that does it. Try to leave the AMG logo, painting the whole caliper red w/o the logo looks cheap too. I've seen some AMG logo stickers on ebay, it's cheap, buy it, see if it matches the logo on the calipers, if so, stick it on and paint away. IMHO, only dark cars looks good with red caliper's, especially black. __________________ 06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-18-2007	#3 (permalink)
reallife Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gig Harbor, WA Vehicle: 2006 SLK 55 Posts: 154 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Don't do it. Buy a Porsche next time.....

10-18-2007	#5 (permalink)
GregoryGR Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Athens, Hellas Vehicle: 06 Kleemann Slk 200 Posts: 208 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Check these sites: http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/caliperpaint.html http://personal.inet.fi/surf/porsche...ake/index.html http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/g2/caliper_paint.jsp The first & third are two products - there are a lot of them - and the second is a HowTo guide. Trust the above are helpful to you.

10-18-2007	#7 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I was thinking about painting mine red. Anyway, there are a ton of stencils out there, this pick the one you like the best and go ahead.

10-18-2007	#10 (permalink)
bejak Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sweden, West Coast Vehicle: 2004 SLK200K R171, aut, Iridium Posts: 145 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a Iridium Silver SLK and I have painted the calipers red. The original grey calipers was fine about a year. Then they changed to matt grey dull finish. Looked very old.

10-18-2007	#12 (permalink)
Wallance Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver Vehicle: SLK350 Posts: 158 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	i just painted my calipers in red and installed the piecha exhaust earlier... i just haven't have time to post up new pics.. will update and share some new pics soon!

10-18-2007	#13 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	Wallance congradulations on your new Peicha exhausts, awaiting pictures asap. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

10-18-2007	#14 (permalink)
smoothbnzf4n4tc Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Vehicle: 2009 Mars Red SLK55 Posts: 170 Country: Thanks: 12 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Well guys, the reason I want to paint them red is because I'm going to get black rims. SO I though it would be cool with a red car to have black wheels and then red brakes and black AMG lettering on the brakes themselves. Does anyone know where I can find the AMG lettering, like a stencil or something...

10-18-2007	#15 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,642 Thanks: 100 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	I thought red calipers would look good with my red SLK. Don't think I would like red calipers with other body colors nearly as much. Maybe black with black car, etc. ?

04-18-2008	#17 (permalink)
st2288 SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Vehicle: RED SLK350 Other Toys: 85'380sl 98'E320, 04'Toyota Highlander Posts: 56 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I just painted my calipers in silver. It was rusty and old looking.. Make sure you used the epoxy paint. Regular caliper paint will chip away. I painted over the Mercedes logo, but buying a brake decal/sticker to paste it back on.. will post some pic later when I am done

04-24-2008	#20 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	st2288, I wouldnt tell if you had it painted as its done very nicely and of high quality. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!